10. Compact Single-Serve Blenders
Due in part to their large blades in comparison to the relatively compact size, some single-serve blenders are a laceration hazard. Popular kitchenware brand, Cuisinart, issued a recall of nearly 70,000 units purchased in the United States after people discovered that the nut holding the blender base assembly can loosen and detach from the base when in use.
9. Smart Tech Toys
Technology is a part of everything in today’s society, but sometimes that can do more harm than good. Children’s toys now incorporate high-tech features like wi-fi and Bluetooth, or have cameras and microphones attached. These “smart” toys often collect and sell data on your child’s usage or background audio– sometimes without your knowledge. Consider using more traditional toys to protect your family’s security.
8. Personal Electric Heating Devices
Millions of Americans use personal heating devices such as heating pads and electronic blankets every day. While these products can eliminate back pain, minimize cramps, and increase blood flow throughout the body, they can also cause severe burns and fires. Some brands initiated recalls after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports that certain products overheat, spark, or burn, with some consumers even sustaining mild injuries.
7. Single Use Plastic
For many years plastic bags have served as a reliable way to carry groceries or other goods. However, they pose a major environmental threat because they cannot decompose. In Massachusetts, over 150 cities and towns currently regulate or ban single use plastic bags – including bans in Boston and Worcester. To do your part for the environment, choose a paper bag next time you go grocery shopping or bring a reusable one from home.
6. Certain Pet Food
Nearly 70% of American households have at least one pet. As consumers we spend a significant amount of money on our pets, especially purchasing what they eat. Nutrition is the key to a long life for your furry friend! Some of the most popular commercial food brands are filled with artificial colors and unhealthy additives, with low nutritional value. Pet owners should be mindful of the ingredients in their pets’ food. Some ingredients to avoid are butylated hydroxyanisole, propylene glycol, and meat by-products. While protein is essential for your pet, meat by-products may contain animal carcass remnants.
5. Beauty Products with Benzene
With a countless number of beauty products on the market, it can be difficult to determine which are legitimate and which are harmful. Be sure to avoid products containing benzene, a highly flammable, colorless liquid that has been associated with issues to the eyes, skin, airways, nervous system, and lungs. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) classifies benzene as a carcinogenic compound, yet it is still commonly found in a wide variety of beauty products. Large consumer goods companies including Unilever and Valisure recently issued recalls on various dry shampoo brands from Dove, Nexxus, and TRESemme.
4. Children’s Chemistry Sets
While instilling a passion for science in kids is important, some methods are better than others. This year, the Ooze Labs Chemistry Station made its way onto the Top 10 worst toys list from the World Against Toys Causing Harm for containing dangerous chemicals. The product, marketed at children age 6 and up, warns of chemicals in the box that are toxic if ingested, and hazardous to get in the eyes or on clothing. Science is important to learn, but it is not worth taking a trip to the hospital with your little ones.
3. Lithium Ion Batteries
Vaping, or ingesting nicotine through an electronic cigarette, took the world by storm over the past decade. Originally a product designed to help cigarette smokers kick the habit, many find themselves just as addicted to this new form of smoking. In particular, vaping captures a younger generation who may not have otherwise become smokers, but find themselves hooked on nicotine due to the convenience of e-cigarettes. This year, the FDA reported that more 2.5 million middle and high school students use e-cigarettes. This is the fourth consecutive year that vapes have appeared on our list.
2. Vapes
Vaping, or ingesting nicotine through an electronic cigarette, took the world by storm over the past decade. Originally a product designed to help cigarette smokers kick the habit, many find themselves just as addicted to this new form of smoking. In particular, vaping captures a younger generation who may not have otherwise become smokers, but find themselves hooked on nicotine due to the convenience of e-cigarettes. This year, the FDA reported that more 2.5 million middle and high school students use e-cigarettes. This is the fourth consecutive year that vapes have appeared on our list.
Honorable Mentions
Bottled water is often touted as one of the easiest ways to hydrate. But did you know that water packaged in a single-use container often carries microplastics and parasites, in addition to other potentially dangerous particles? The FDA standards for bottled water production do not require testing for contaminants or disclosing sources, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that tap water providers must do. For the most trustworthy water, filtering tap water may be the best option for consumers.
Stainless steel sippy cups may seem like a good, durable alternative for children. In some instances though, these cups may have parts that break off and expose the child to lead. If the child ingests this contaminant, it could cause lead poisoning, which has many adverse health effects. This danger has resulted in recalls for brands such as Green Sprouts.
In recent years, consumers of all ages have taken interest in fidget toys, or small, devices that give people a passive, soothing activity to do with their hands. Such toys are commonly associated with alleviation of negative emotions. The Pop’n Fidget, a colorful pinner with small rubber "pop-it" inserts, made this year’s World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc's nominee 10 Worst Toys. These inserts have proven to be easily removable, thus posing a large choking hazard to younger users. Additionally, the product has no warnings or age recommendations, making it an easy product to accidentally buy for a child without understanding the risk.
Play tents and playhouses are often home of core memories for many children. However, these structures are composed of flammable materials including mesh and nylon. Several styles of play tents were recalled this summer because of their failure to meet industry standards, posing a burn risk to consumers and the young children that play in them.
1. Counterfeit Medications
As public health and medical rights have become a hot topic in recent years, many consumers now use the Internet to find various forms of medication. This can be a dangerous practice, as many online medications have no effect, or come with severe side effects. According to the FDA, many online pharmacies operate illegally, making these purchases a massive risk.
List Disclaimer:
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) strives to make the information on this website as timely and accurate as possible. The Office makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third-party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to the contents of this website or its links to other Internet resources.
Reference in this site to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by OCABR.
| Date published: | December 14, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Last updated: | December 24, 2022 |